Liberals bring on ag sector heft in bid to replace Toews in Provencher

Liberals in Manitoba have once again chosen an agriculture heavyweight as their candidate for the Provencher, Man. byelection.

Terry Hayward, a longtime federal public servant, won the Liberal nomination Wednesday evening. More than 400 Liberals – including leader Justin Trudeau – attended the meeting.

A resident of the riding for 20 years, Hayward has worked for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and as a member of the Canadian Foreign Service in Washington D.C. and Wellington, New Zealand.

He is also the former executive director for the Farm Products Council of Canada in Ottawa, a position he held for six years. Hayward retired in 2006, ending a 33-year career with the federal government.

Upon his return to Manitoba, Hayward served as executive director for the Manitoba Rural Adaption Council Inc (MRAC), a nonprofit organization that funds innovative agriculture.

Tucked in the far south east corner of Manitoba, Provencher is one of the oldest ridings in the province. Considered a Conservative strong hold, the rural riding was formerly held by ex-minister Vic Toews. The former public safety minister first won the agriculture-based riding in 2000.

In July, Toews announced he was retiring from politics in June to pursue opportunities in the private sector and spend more time with his family.

Hayward will face off against Conservative candidate Ted Falk, the longtime chairmen of the Steinbach Credit Union. Falk, who is also part owner of a local gravel and construction company, won the nomination in mid-September.

Meanwhile, the NDP nomination meeting has been set for October 6. The party only has one declared candidate, Natalie Courcelles Beaudry, who currently works as an assistant for the areas MLA, Manitoba Cabinet Minister Ron Lemieux.

Provencher is one of four byelections happening across the country. A date for the votes has not been released.